Riotbeard

<br /><br /><br /> You guys should check out the Journal Postmedieval. It just came out with its first issue (published by routledge I believe...). One of my undergrad profs co-edits it, and she is the best medievalist I know. I doubled in the whole english thing...

I haven't heard much positive about syracuse as a place, and don't know anything about the schools, but if Austin has a grad program that would be where I would go. Technology of transportation and communication would probably make up for it, but what do I know, I am doing history. Good luck.

<br /><br /><br /> I got to visit for a weekend. I only went to the french quarter enough for beignets (Is that really how it's spelled? haha, my foreign language was German). I spent most of my time wandering around uptown with a college friend who had just moved back after graduating in 09, which I love uptown and the garden district. I love cities and urban life, but I am glad Tulane is in a more neighborhoodie area. I can't wait to be in a bikable city again. I learned Soft Shell Crab is delicious. I have not gotten to register for classes, even though I keep trying. I only committed last week, and my advisor was out of town until Sunday, so the wheels have been turning slow for me. They gave me my e-mail address, but I have a H1N1 immunity hold, so I can't even look at what is offered until I am safely shot up. I have talked to my advisor and met some profs, and visited the campus, which is amazing for this state school kid! I also got to meet another member of my cohort who was visiting when I was there and some of the grad students already starting. Isn't their funding amazing?! How about you? Have you registered for classes? I had friend doing the same type of program as you at UCLA, I think she does modernist stuff and lit crit. Rooibos, mate, and mint are my favorite tea types. I once found this Chai Rooibos. It was a revalation. I have a tea droor in my office at work , since I stopped coffee on weekdays...

<br /><br /><br /> I think that is harder than getting an extension. If there is a decent chance you won't go, get an extension. Backing out is bad form, and should only be done if you have to. That being said it does happen.

Where is LBJ in Texas, Austin is supposed to be great. I have a friend who went to Pitt of undergrad and liked the city a lot.

Good luck! I didn't even get waitlisted at Indiana.

If it's consolation, I didn't get in/ get funding anywhere last year. If you really want you will be really hungry after a year out of the system. Also you may want to apply to a little wider swath of programs, unless you think the only way to go is top 20... which is not true. Good luck though, you still have a good chance!

<br /><br /><br /> I had an open weekend in mid March, and one school I went to did not send out acceptances till the 3rd week of march. If you have a job you can't take the day off at the drop of a hat so you might have to wait a few week to take the trip. Both my trips were re-imbursed for history visits, and I even got a counter offer at a campus visit. Visiting is a smart thing, and not every school lets you know before February.

Some people are lazy and have full time jobs like myself, but I had done the most important research beforehand. I visited the schools that I seriuosly considered and it ended making my decision for me. The school I chose I applied to on a whim, but when I visited, I realized it would help me grow more as a scholar. Visiting, meeting grad students, and getting a general feel of the culture of your cohort is essential! Instead of picking the program with a super intense focus on my field, I went to the school with a good focus on my stuff but also a lot of tangential subjects (atlantic history, diaspora, race and ethnicity), but I don't think I would have felt confident taking that risk without meeting a good couple factulty members and students. Take you time people. I sat on a waitlist all last year to never get funding, but having been the other position, I thinking taking your time, visting, etc. is the right choice.

Nice! Have you been to New Orleans yet? I can't wait to move! Is your name a reference to red tea (I can never remember the spelling)? It is delicious.

<br /><br /><br /> Unless you get an extension, they could take that as a rejection, and it certainly won't reflect well on you. Ask for an extension, if you need it.

<br /><br /><br /> You're all organized and stuff... If you have any profs who are not in your area and not your reccomenders but are close to, you should see if they know anyone at the schools you are applying to. Then they can send informal letters telling them to pay close attention to your app. My advisor at the school I am starting at specifically mentioned the informal e-mail campaign in addition to the normal letters.

<br /><br /><br /> Eh?

Red ink just means jesus is talking.

Think hard before you ask for an extension. It looks better, but neither look great if you end up going to that school.

You should post this in the computer science or applied mathmatics forum. None of us in the old forum can help you probably but good luck! We have all been there or are there right now!

Some schools like where I am starting in the fall fund over 12 month period and expect you to continue taking courses during the summer. Also Duke and I think UT Austin have eliminated comps in favor of a portfolio defense which can speed things up. Also places that give partial non-service fellowships will helps you speed up, because you only have to do service half the time and can devote more time to course work and later dissertation research (smaller private schools are more often able to do this (Tulane does and a lot more really, as opposed to at a big state school they really need the TA's so you will probably have to work more unless you get a really rare fellowship).

Not neccessarily. I was rejected over the phone... I have since been accepted over the phone.

Both have great reps generally, no idea about bioengineering though...

<br /><br /><br /> It's better manners to withdraw your app. as soon as you know you are not attending (not to be your mom or anything), since there are people on the waitlist. Also it might be personnally better for you if you ever expect to run into their faculty at conferences, etc.

I am rubbish at languages, but no worry. Most grad schools have classes that are language for translation classes that are geared toward helping you improve or learn translation skills in whatever language you need. I am an americanist, but I am considering doing a 3rd language for atlantic history minor... it may nvever be helpful, but for americanists it's not necessary. Also some schools will let you opt out in exchange for a lit, sociology, poli sci., etc competancy (but kinda rare).

Is anybody else starting at Tulane in the fall. I am going for a PhD in history.

Tulane! I just sent my e-mail taking my name of Georgia's waitlist, and my e-mail committing to Tulane!

It could be a departmental deadline. I had one program put their deadline at 4/1, but when I had a better (at least fiscally) offer, they said take till the fifteenth, we just set this earlier deadline to make counter-offers, etc.

<br /><br /><br /> I might take till the 15th, because I am waitlisted at another program. That being said, I have declined all my offers expect the one I am interested and the waitlist. I may withdraw my name from that waitlist too. I don't wanna pass up being a prime recruit for being second fiddle at schools with equal reputations...